Contents:
- Medical Video: Liquid Sand Hot Tub- Fluidized air bed
- What are the benefits of swimming for children with autism?
- Tips for teaching children with autism to swim
- 1. Don't use convoluted language
- 2. Consistent
- 3. Give praise
- 4. Let the child play
Medical Video: Liquid Sand Hot Tub- Fluidized air bed
Children with autism spectrum disorder (GSA) or more often called autism have a greater risk of drowning than children in general.
Reporting from the CNN page, Dr. Guohua Li, a researcher from the Center for Injury Epidemiology and Prevention at Columbia University has conducted a study to look at the relationship between autism and injury. As a result, almost half (46%) of cases of death due to accidental injury in children with autism occur because of drowning. Therefore, providing children with autism with the ability to swim is very important. So what are the other benefits that can be obtained by children with autism?
What are the benefits of swimming for children with autism?
In addition to preventing drowning, there are various benefits of swimming that can be obtained by children with autism. Gentle and repetitive movements performed while on the water can provide peace to the GSA child. Swimming also helps overcome frustration or feelings of anger that are being experienced by children. The reason is, when exercising in the pool the child will release endorphins that make them feel more positive, or feel happier.
The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation notes that a lot of exercise is difficult for children with autism because they have to focus on several different aspects at once.
This is different from swimming. Swimming is a sport that can be done alone so it is much easier for children with autism to do this sport. Children with autism who learn to swim for a long time will increase the ability to coordinate their body movements, and strengthen their physical.
Reporting from the page Autism Speaks, children with autism who learn to swim have body balance, flexibility, and also better muscle endurance.
Basically also children with autism have a disruption in processing sensory stimuli, such as being sensitive to sound, light, or touch. By learning to swim, this can help overcome the problem of the sensory process.
Tips for teaching children with autism to swim
The unique behavior of children with autism makes you have to teach with patience and perseverance. In addition, there are several things that must be considered:
1. Don't use convoluted language
Use clear and direct instructions with words that are easy to understand. This will help children with ASD learn to understand what needs to be done. Avoid saying, "Don't be so feet!" Because the child is actually confused what to do.
It's better to immediately say what the child should do, for example, "Straighten and relax your feet."
2. Consistent
You need extra patience, especially because you have to repeat the same command. Continue to repeat each movement that is taught and observe the progress. Before mastering a technique or swimming style, don't try a new technique because later the child gets confused.
3. Give praise
Praise all the successes that children make when they are able to do a good movement, for example, give a big round of applause.
4. Let the child play
When playing is an opportunity for children to swim freely, without rules. Let the child move freely in the water to explore their curiosity in the pool.
Even though this is free time, you must keep an eye on and be alert if there is an emergency needed to maintain the safety of the child.
